The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/maharashtra-mlc-polls-shiv-senas-saeed-khan-defeats-ubt-candidate-vivek-navandar-in-parbhani-hingoli-election-23636315" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Election Commission of India (ECI)</a> has announced the schedule for the by-election to the Bankipur (182) Assembly constituency in Bihar.
Polling will be held on July 30, while the counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on August 3, reported the IANS.
The bypoll was necessitated after BJP National President Nitin Nabin resigned from his Assembly membership, leaving the Bankipur seat in Patna vacant.
According to the Election Commission's notification, the election process will begin on July 6 with the issue of the notification and the opening of nominations, as per the IANS.
The key dates are:
- July 6: Notification issued; nominations begin
- July 13: Last date for filing nominations
- July 14: Scrutiny of nomination papers
- July 16: Last date for withdrawal of nominations
- July 30: Polling day
- August 3: Counting of votes and declaration of results
<h2>Parties yet to announce candidates</h2>
Despite the announcement of the poll schedule, neither the ruling <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-bjp-alleges-corruption-under-uddhavs-bmc-rule-claims-1500-crore-savings-23637804" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)</a> nor the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has declared its candidate, as per the IANS.
The BJP will aim to retain one of its traditional strongholds, while the RJD will seek to secure a victory that could strengthen its political position ahead of future elections.
The by-election has gained further attention after Tej Pratap Yadav, who recently parted ways with the Rashtriya Janata Dal, announced Veena Manvi as his party's candidate for the upcoming elections, the news agency reported.
Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, has stepped up campaigning in the constituency, urging voters to support an alternative to the BJP.
Although speculation continues over whether Kishor himself will contest, the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/rajya-sabha-election-2026-supreme-court-refuses-to-stall-polls-sets-natarajan-plea-for-june-12-hearing-23634706" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">party has not yet officially announced its candidate</a>. The announcement is expected in coming days, according to the IANS.
<h2>Politically significant seat</h2>
Located in the heart of Bihar's Patna, the Bankipur Assembly constituency is regarded as one of Bihar's most politically important seats.
Political observers believe the outcome of the by-election could influence the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/maharashtra-ncp-sp-leader-supriya-sule-vows-electoral-reform-bill-to-curb-horse-trading-in-elections-23633968" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">state's political narrative</a> and shape strategies and alliances ahead of future electoral contests.
(with IANS inputs)

Bankipur bypoll 2026: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the by-election to the Bankipur (182) Assembly constituency in Bihar

Bankipur bypoll 2026: EC announces schedule for high-stakes Bankipur bypoll; voting on July 30, counting on Aug 3

Air India Express restores Kuwait, Salalah flights; resumes full West Asia network

The bypoll was necessitated after BJP National President Nitin Nabin resigned from his Assembly membership, leaving the Bankipur seat in Bihar's Patna vacant

EC announces schedule for high-stakes Bankipur bypoll in Bihar; voting on July 30, counting on Aug 3

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Home / News / India News / Article / EC announces schedule for high-stakes Bankipur bypoll in Bihar; voting on July 30, counting on Aug 3